The first half was a bit lethargic going by the commentary on "The Quay" though it's to be expected as it's the first game in pre-season and the main objective of these games is to get match fitness. Harry decided to play two sides during this game, one each half. Although "Berlin" did play the full 90 minutes.
First Half Team
GK: Ashdown
RB: Duffy
CB: Stefanovic
CB: Pamarot
LB: Taylor
RM: Mornar
CM: Mendes
CM: Viafara
LM: Wilson
ST: Todorov
ST: "Berlin"
An assumably boring first half with not much action. Dean Kiely was supposed to begin this match though he has broken his finger and is now on the injured list. Benjani also didn't take any part in the game with a slight injury and Gary O'Neil was out with a virus. Brian Priske didn't even travel with the side. Some good combination work by Duffy and Mornar down the right set up a cross for Todorov to open the scoring on the 44th minute.
Second Half Team
GK: Begavic (sp?)
RB: Johnson
CB: Primus
CB: O'Brien
LB: Griffin
RM: Songo'o
CM: Zairi
CM: Davis
LM: Hughes
ST: Lua Lua
ST: "Berlin"
Ten changes were made for the second half, including loanee Glen Johnson and trialist Jaouad Zairi. Johnson immediately made an impact by sprinting down the flank and crossing for Lua Lua to head in the second goal just after the interval. "Berlin" had had a poor first half performance according to the radio commentary but he played far better with Lua Lua as his strike partner and just a few minutes after the second goal, "Berlin" found himself one on one with the Torquay goalkeeper and chipped him to score a third. Pompey then put on an impressive display of passing football as the match drew to a close at Plainmoor.
There are rumours that the identity of "Berlin" is actually 19 year old Nigerian striker Solomon Okoronkwo. Okoronkwo has a similar sort of appearance to Benjani and that is apparently what "Berlin" looked like too. On top of that, Okoronkwo's current club is Hertha Berlin which would explain his alias name.
All in all, a dull game in honesty but the job is done and there's no embarassing defeat to report thankfully. Our pre-season continues as early as this Friday as we tackle Yeovil Town at Huish Park.
To finish, Manuel Fernandes is supposed to be having a medical at Pompey tommorow, if all goes well he could even officially sign then.